Minor Official

Minor Official

With your over-sized military uniform

And round parade hat

You shout your orders

Through a megaphone

In the face of a confused young man

Who does not know what to do

Or where exactly to go

When he comes down off the train

The iron hand of authority

Falls heavily upon the countryside

It is rough and without white gloves

I cannot tell who is the bigger fool--

The minor official or her witless minion

Who smiles in polite fright